MedWest hospitals need investment, weigh merger

Published: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:27 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:27 a.m.

CLYDE, N.C. (AP) — A hospital chain in rural, western North Carolina is looking for a money infusion and considering a merger with a larger hospital system.

MedWest Health Systems is looking for a partner willing to invest in its three rural hospitals in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties.

MedWest's board of directors say new money is needed to make investments in facilities, technology and personnel. There are now nearly 2,000 employees at three hospitals in Clyde, Sylva and Bryson City.

The system was formed in 2009 with the merger of Haywood Regional Medical Center and WestCare Health System. The organization signed a management agreement in 2010 with Charlotte-based Carolinas HealthCare System, which has 29 affiliated hospitals in South and North Carolina.

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